Crunchy Coconut Chocolate Bars

I am so relieved.  We finally have Halloween costumes done! Thank goodness. As the kids get older, Halloween gets to be more of a challenge.  You can no longer grab a cute costume and toss it on them.  It's 4 kids (can still toss one on the youngest) giving you specific instructions on what they want to be.  My 5 year old has told me that he wanted to be a bad witch, Glenda the good witch from Wizard of Oz, a dragon, "a guy with blue hair", and "the thing that Alex is being at school".  Who's Alex??? Oy.   He wound up being a yellow Power Ranger.  Just a side note..is you need a nice costume..check out your local Goodwill. I bought 3 costumes for $15..and they were all new in packages. Yay!

OK..let's get down to business.  Coconut. Chocolate. Need I say more?  These bars remind me of Magic Cookie Bars, but, have more a crunch to them.  This recipe also make a ton, A TON of bars.  If you cut them into about 1"-2" bars, you get about 5 dozen of them  Seriously!  These are perfect for bake sales, potlucks and the upcoming holiday get togethers.

Adapted From

**Edited 3/2/13** The original post listed the butter as 1 stick.  It is actually for 1 cup (2 sticks).  So very sorry about the error everyone! ** 

Ingredients:

for the bottom crust:

1 cup, butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered milk

1-1/2 cup sugar

2 TBSP light corn syrup

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp coconut flavor

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

2-1/2 cups flour

2 cups unsweetened coconut

for chocolate topping:

2 cups semi sweet chocolate

1 can (13oz) sweetened condensed milk

toasted coconut ( for garnish)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 18x13 baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, powdered milk,sugar, corn syrup,coconut flavor and vanilla until fluffy.  Add in flour and baking powder. Fold in coconut.  Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet.  Poke with a fork several times all over. Bake 15-18 minutes or until brown. 

for chocolate topping:

Melt chocolate, condensed milk slowly over low heat.  Spread on cooled bars. Garnish with toasted coconut

Let bars cool for several hours before serving.